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Thursday, September 29, 2011

I am sitting in my kitchen waiting (impatiently, I might add) for this new bread to cool. In the end I will probably eat a piece while still warm. Even though the instructions clearly say, 'Cool completely before slicing'. Completely. On a cooling rack. This bread smells sooo good. And it is bread for the Fall of the year. Last week we had rain, for the first time since last April, and, frankly, even this rain was a bit of a surprise. Honestly, I wasn't expecting any rain until maybe the end of October, or even the beginning of November. But the leaves are turning color a little, and the flowers are starting to fade. And the evenings are cooler. And so, harvest bread filled with goodies.

Whole wheat spelt bread uses spelt flour (go figure) that you can substitute with whole wheat flour if you wish. Spelt is an ancient grain: it is the oldest form of wheat. As such it acts much like wheat in a recipe. However, I believe it has less gluten than regular wheat flour. It is richer in B-vitamins and is even tastier to boot. Because of the lower gluten content, use a little more leavening agent (this bread uses baking soda). If using yeast with this flour, use a little more and let it rise longer. You won't be sorry.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C).
2. Place the walnuts on a roasting pan and lightly toast them for a few minutes. Just until you start to smell the great aroma they give off. Don't over roast them, as that makes them bitter. Remember, they will continue to roast in the bread!!

3. Place all of the rest of the ingredients, except the seeds in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to make a very thick batter. Only then, mix in the seeds and the roasted nuts.

4. Place the batter into two lightly-oiled loaf pans (8 1/2 X 4 1/2 in (23X10 cm), smoothing out the top with a wettened spatula.

5. Bake for about 40 minutes (without turbo) or until nicely browned. They will sound hollow when 'thumped' on the bottom.

5 comments:

I left a comment on your fb but it mysteriously disappeared..:-) Glad I found your blog, I've been loving the bread here in Israel and wondering what it is that's different.Have you ever tried the Foccia bread at the Spagettim in Beer Sheva?? it is out of this world good. I looked through your archive and will try your recipe for the foccia absolutely! and maybe one or two others..:-)

Thanks for the kind words. I love baking bread as you can tell and I appreciate it when someone else does too. I have not tried the bread at Spagettim in Beer Sheva but it sounds wonderful. I always check out the bread first wherever I go. The bread here tastes different (and better!) because of everything from the water to the flour to even the yeast. Whatever, it is much better here than elsewhere, probably the relative lack of chemicals helps a lot too.

Thanks for the mention on the blog. Sorry the results were less than satisfying, but that's what happens sometimes. Even after lots of experience it still sometimes happens. Definitely try again though.

Thanks for the discuss on the weblog. Sorry the outcomes were less than fulfilling, but that's what happens sometimes. Even after plenty of encounter it still sometimes happens. Definitely try again though.rs gold for saleBillig WOW GoldCheap RS 3 Gold

About Me

I have been baking for a long time. Bread mostly, but not only. The whole process from water and yeast in a bowl becoming hot fragrant bread is one of life's great pleasures and mysteries.
Come share this magic with me along with stories of childhood memories and bready adventures from everywhere!